India's Health Policy Needs Urgent Overhaul to Tackle Rising NCDs

• India faces a critical health transition with NCDs (diabetes, cardiovascular, cancer) accounting for nearly two-thirds of deaths, projected to reach 75% by 2030.
• The economic cost of NCDs is estimated at USD 6 trillion over a decade, yet India's healthcare system is underprepared, focusing on episodic care rather than long-term management and prevention.
• Existing public programs like Ayushman Bharat have expanded access, but significant capacity gaps persist in diagnostics, specialist services, and advanced care, especially outside metropolitan areas.
• The Union Budget 2026–27 is a crucial opportunity to realign health policy by recognizing healthcare as strategic national infrastructure, ensuring long-term financing, and creating dedicated NCD resilience funds.
• Key reforms include making prevention actionable through tax deductions for check-ups, investing in a national diagnostic network, reducing customs duty on advanced cancer therapy equipment, and promoting 'Heal in India' for medical value travel.

Why It Matters: India must urgently reform its health policy to prioritize NCD prevention, sustainable financing, and capacity building.